Fuel



I Patented 1.1.... 4, 1938 UNITED STATES FUEL I Com-a1 Cleo Callie,.Oakmont, Pa.

No Drawing. Application April 24', 1935, I

Serial No. 17,927

12 Claims. I

The invention relates to a fuel suitable for use higher saturatedaliphatic alcohol containing in internal combustion engines. Moreparticu-' larly it relates to a motor fuel containing a hydrocarboncomposition and an alcohol, and in- 5 cludes correlated improvements anddiscoveries whereby the properties of such a motor fuel are enhanced.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fuel for internalcombustion engines which will 10 not become cloudy at a low temperature,in which frosting during carburetion is obviated and formation of icecrystals inhibited.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a motorfuel containing ahydrocarbon composition and an alcohol, which motor fuel has arelatively high tolerance as to water content.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a motor fuelcontaining a hydrocarbon composition, an alcohol, and a stabilizingagent which increases the stability of the fuel.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a fuel for aviationmotors containing an aviation naphtha, ethylfalcoh'ol, and a stabilizingagent, and which is characterized by its stability and lack ofcloudiness at the temperature of Other objects of. the invention will inpart be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The .invention accordingly comprises a motor 30-fuel possessing thecharacteristics, properties and thb relation of constituentswhich willbe alcohol, said alcohol containing a substantial.

quantity of water. The admixture of the hydrocarbon and the alcohol maybe facilitated and the mixture stabilized by including in the fuel as astabilizing agent therefor a saturated aliphatic ether containing .at'least five carbon atoms and an ether miscible mono-hydric alcohol havinga. higher molecularweight than the alcohol admixed with the hydrocarbonin a quantity sullyclent to maintain a homogeneous mixture or blend atsub-zero temperatures.

It has been found that the stability of the fuel and its tolerancerelative to water content (cl. 44=-9) I is augmented by including in theadmixture a not more than ten carbon atoms. Preparation 'of the fuel maybe effected by a bringing together and admixture of the various desiredingredients, as a naphtha, ethyl alcohl, and a saturated aliphatic etherhaving at least iive carbon atoms,and a higher alcohol, preferably ahigher molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, as butyl alcohol, and acyclic alcohol, e. g., hexahydrophenol, fenchyl alcohol, etc., as astabilizing agent. The proportion in which the various constituentsofthe fuel may be present varies somewhat, and satisfactory results havebeen obtained when an alcohol in an amount of from to 34% by volume, asaturated aliphatic ether in an amount of from 2 to by volume, and ahigher aliphatic alcohol in an amount from 2 to 12% by volume wereused.The compositions thus obtained are characterized by having a cloud pointlower than F., and by possessing. a relatively high tolerance withrespect to water content. .As will be illustrated later a stabilizedfuel may be produced in accordance with the invention which cont'ainsasmuch as 12% of water and which is stable at --20 F. The quantity ofstabilizing agent is that which is sufllcient to maintain a homogeneousmixture at sub-zero temperatures.

Hydrocarbon compositions which may be utilized in producing the motorfuel having a low cloud point include a gasoline, as casing headgasoline, straight run gasoline, cracked gasolines and admixturesthereof, a naphtha, as avia-.

tion naphtha, and other fuels, as iso-octaine fuels. These varioushydrocarbon compositions may include lead tetra-ethyl, aniline, andother antidetonants if so desired without altering the influence andeffects of the stabilizing agent having a higher alcohol content..Further, the hydrocarbon composition may contain benzol as a partthereof and its inclusion augmentsthe anti-knock characteristics orqualities of the fuel. Large quantities of benzo, however, willcrystallize out at low temperatures, and hence are without thecontemplation of the invention.

The stabilizing agent for the fuel may contain ethyl ether of ethyleneglycol, butyl ether of ethylene glycol, ethyl ethenof diethylene glycol,butyl ether of diethylene glycol, other ethers as iso-propyl, normalbutyl, iso-butyl, various amyls, forexample, iso-amyl, or a mixed ether,as phenyl ethyl ether. It will be understood that the expressionsaturatedalip'hatic ether containing at preferably used are the propyl,butyl and amyl a1 cohols. However, various other alcohols containing upto ten carbon atoms may be utilized. The fuel may contain the higheralcohols, in either the primary, secondary or tertiary form. The primaryand tertiary types are preferred and more specifically the iso-type ofthe primary. The alcohols admixed with the hydrocarbon composition maybe ethyl alcohol, either as 95% or absolute, iso-propyl alcohol andmethyl alcohol. These various constituents may be employed either per seor in compatible admixtures.

As illustrative embodiments of a manner in which the invention may becarried out in practice, the following examples are presented. Thepercentages are by volume:

Example 1 Percent Aviation naphtha 84 Ethyl alcohol (95%) 10 Butyl etherof ethylene glycol 2 Butyl alcohol 4 Example 2 Percent Gasoline Ethylalcohol 9 Saturated aliphatic ether 2 Higher aliphatic alcohol 9 Example3 Percent Gasoline 88 Ethyl alcohol (95%) 6 Butyl ether of ethyleneglycol 4 Butyl alonhnl 2 Example 4 Percent Gasoline 44 Ethyl alcohol(95%) 34 Iso-amyl ether 10 Butyl alcohol 12 in producing the variousmixes of a hydrocarbon. I

composition, as gasoline, with alcohol containing a relatively smallamount of a stabilizing agent, the water tolerance of the fuel isdecidedly increased and beyond that which is the normal expectation.This unexpected result appears to be due to a coupling action whichoccurs in the I stabilizing agent-higher alcohol mixture, and isillustrated by the following examples. A fuel containing 88% aviationnaphtha, 10% absolute ethyl alcohol and 2% butyl ether of ethyleneglycol has a water tolerance of about 2% at 20 F., whereas a similarfuel containing 4% butyl alcohol has a 1.5% water tolerance at 20 F.,and a fuel which contains 2% butyl ether of ethylene glycol and 4% butylalcohol gives a fuel having a 6% water tolerance at 20 F.

It is clearly indicated by these results that the effect produced byincluding a stabilizing agent,

as butylether of ethylene glycol and a higher,

aliphatic alcohol, as butyl ,alcohol, in combination, is not merely anadditive one. If this were the case then the water tolerance should beonly 3.5% instead of 6%. The last instance is that which is found inExample 1 above; and this fuel has been found to be stable at about '40F. .A fuel produced in accordance with the foregoing pro cedures ischaracterized by being stable at a tem-.

perature of 20 F., i. e., it does not separate into layers at thistemperature, nor is there any apparent clouding. The water'tolerance maybe increased or decreased as desired, and such tolerance may be as highas 12% based on the alcohol present at a temperature of 20 F. Thevariation in tolerance may be obtained by varying the amount ofstabilizing agent and/or higher alcohol present. It has thus been foundthat a fuel may be produced which isstable at 20 F., and which willcontain as much as 4 gallons of water per of having to make a forcedlanding is materially minimized inasmuch as accumulation of water in thefuel tanks and lines is in a large measure obviated. In addition,frosting is materially reduced and the formation of ice crystalsinhibited.

. Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising anon-benzenoid petroleum distillate boiling within the gasoline range anda substantial quantity of a low molecular weight alcohol, and as astabilizing agent therefor in a small 'quantity sufficient to maintain ahomo geneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures, a saturated aliphaticether containing at least five carbon atoms and a gasoline misciblemono-hydric' alcohol having a higher molecular weight than the alcoholadmixed, said fuel having a water tolerance of about 12%.

2. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion enginescomprising amixture of a non-benzenoid petroleum distillate boiling within thegasoline range and a substantial quantity of a low molecular weightalcohol, said alcohol containing a subatantial quantity of water up toabout 12%, and

as a stabilizing agent therefor, a saturated aliphatic ether containingat least five carbon atoms and a gasoline miscible mono-hydric alcoholhaving a higher molecular weight than the alcohol admixed, saidstabilizing agent being present in a small quantity sufficient (tomaintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

3. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of a non-benzenoid petroleum distillate boiling within thegasoline range and a. substantial quantity of ethyl alcohol, saidalcohol containing a substantial quantity of water up to about 12%, andas a stabilizing agent therefor, a saturated aliphatic ether containingat least five carbon atoms and a gasoline miscible mono-hydric alcoholhaving a higher molecular weight than the alcohol admixed, saidstabilizing agent being present in a small quantity sufllcient tomaintain a homogeneous admixture at sub- 4. A liquid motor fuel forinternal combustion engines comprising a mixture of a non-benzenoidpetroleum distillate boiling within the gasoline range and a substantialquantity of ethyl alcohol, said alcohol containing a substantialquantity of water up to about 12%, and as a stabilizing agent therefor,a butyl ether of ethylene glycol and a butyl alcohol, said stabilizingagent being present in a small quantity suiiicient to maintain ahomogenequs admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

5. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of a non-benzenoid petroleum distillate boiling within thegasoline range, ethyl alcohol to 34% by volume, said alcohol containinga substantial quantity of water up to about 12%, and as a stabilizingagent therefor butyl ether of ethylene glycol 2 to by volume and butylalcohol 2 to 12% by volume, the quantity of said stabilizing agent beingsufiicient to maintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

6. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of an aviation naphtha and a substantial quantity of a lowmolecular weight alcohol, said alcohol containing a substantial quantityof water up to about 12%,-

and as a stabilizing agent therefor, a saturated aliphatic ethercontaining at least five carbon atoms and a gasoline misciblemono-hydricalcohol having a higher molecular weight than the alcohol admixed, saidstabilizing agent being present in a small quantity suillcient tomaintain a. homogeneous admixture atsub-zero temperatures.

said stabilizing agent being present in a small quantity suillcient tomaintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

8. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of an aviation naphtha and a substantial quantity of ethyl a1-cohol, said alcohol containing a substantial quan- 7. A liquid motorfuel for internal combustion tity of water up to about 12%, and as astabilizing agent therefor, a butyl ether of ethylene I glycol and abutyl alcohol, said stabilizing agent being present in a small quantitysufficient to maintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

9. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of an aviation naphtha and ethyl alcohol about 10% by volume,said alcohol containing a substantial quantity of water up to about 12%,and as a stabilizing agent therefor butyl ether of ethylene glycol about2% by volume and butyl alcohol about 4% by volume, the quantity of saidstabilizing agent being sufficient to maintain a homogeneous admixtureat sub-zero temperaturea 10. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustionengines comprising a mixture of a gasoline and a substantial quantity ofa low molecular weight alcohol, said alcohol containing a substantialquantity of water up to about 12%, and as a stabilizing agent therefor,a saturated aliphatic ether containing at least five carbon atoms and agasoline miscible mono-hydric alcohol having a higher molecular weightthan the alcohol admixed, saldstabilizing agent being present in a smallquantity sufficient to maintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zerotemperatures.

11. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising amixture of a gasoline and a substantial quantity of ethyl alcohol, saidalcohol containing a substantial quantity of water up to about 12%, andas a stabilizing agent a butyl ether of ethylene glycol and a butylalcohol, saidstabilizing agent being present in a small quantitysufficient to maintain a homogeneous admixture at sub-zero temperatures.

12. A liquid motor fuel for internal combustion engines comprising anon-benzenoid'light liquid petroleum distillate and a substantialquantity of a low molecular weight alcohol, and as a stabilizing agenttherefor in a small quantity suflicient to maintain a homogeneousadmixture at subzero' temperatures, a saturated aliphatic ethercontaining at least five carbon atoms and a gasoline misciblemono-hydric alcohol having a high 'er molecular weight than the alcoholadmixed,

said fuel having a water tolerance of about 12%.

CONRAL CLEO CALLIS.

